The Mets started off the second half well with taking 2 of 3 from the Phillies, including yesterday’s dominating 1-hitter from Jacob deGrom. Tonight they travel to Chicago to play their last regular season games against the Cubs.

Last year the Mets went 0-7 against the Cubs in the regular season, but then they swept Chicago in the NLCS and followed that up with a four-game sweep at Citi Field earlier this season. So the Mets are now 8-0 against the Cubs in their last 8 games.

The Mets have recalled outfielder Michael Conforto from Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League and optioned outfielder Brandon Nimmo to Las Vegas (AAA). Conforto hit .344 (21-61) with 15 runs scored, four doubles, two triples, three homers and 15 RBI in 16 games with the 51s.

Mets Lineup

Jose Reyes – 3B

Curtis Granderson – RF

Yoenis Cespedes – LF

Neil Walker – 2B

Wilmer Flores – 1B

Asdrubal Cabrera – SS

Juan Lagares – CF

Travis d’Arnaud – C

Steven Matz – LHP

Chicago Cubs

Javier Baez – 2B

Kris Bryant – 3B

Anthony Rizzo – 1B

W. Contreras – LF

Addison Russell – SS

Matt Szczur – RF

Albert Almora – CF

David Ross – C

Jon Lester – P

Steven Matz will get things started. He’s 7-5 over 16 starts and 96.0 innings with a 3.38 ERA. His last couple of starts have been average as he’s allowed 5 ER over 14.0 innings (3.21 ERA) while striking out 11 and walking 5 against the Marlins and the Nationals, both games where he was the losing pitcher on record. He did face the Cubs earlier this season where he allowed 3 ER over 5.1 innings which included 7 hits, 3 walks and 6 strikeouts. The Cubs have the following numbers against Matz:

Zobrist 2-6, 2B

Baez 2-5, HR

Bryant 1-4, HR

Rizzo 2-5, 2B

Russell 0-1, 2BB

Ross 0-1

The Mets will get another look at Jon Lester who is 9-4 this season over 18 starts and 110.2 innings with a 3.01 ERA. Going into the month of July, he had a 2.03 ERA. He then allowed 8 ER over 1.1 innings against the Mets, and followed that up with allowing 5 ER over 3.0 innings against the Pirates. The Mets have the following numbers against Jon Lester:

My name is Elliot and I’ve been writing the Game Preview posts at MMO since 2008. I am excited to be back sharing my thoughts with you. When I’m not watching the Mets, I’m a Physics Teacher in Newark, NJ and writing about the Mets at 213 Miles From Shea. LGM! You can follow me on twitter @213mfs